102. SOLOI
BASILICA

In the ancient / late antique coastal
city of Soloi (Nicosia
district), an episcopal see through the middle Byzantine
period [Papacostas (1995)
Gazetteer 14].

Description: The (excavated) large late 5th / early
6th-century three-aisledtimber roofed column basilica (built over a five-aisled mid-4th century basilica) was
refurbished by Bishop
John after damage by fire during the
mid-7th century Arab raids. The extent of damage and therefore the scale of the
subsequent restoration remain both uncertain; it was perhaps limited to the
timber roof [Papacostas (1995) Gazetteer
14.d].

Dating: The damaged basilica was restored in 654/55, according
to the inscription excavated in the atrium in 1974 [Papacostas (1995) Gazetteer 14.d].

Later additions / alterations: The church was destroyed again, possibly by fire, and it was
abandoned by the 10th century [9th-century plates and 10th-century burnt amphorae
excavated in the destruction layers: Hayes (1980b) 379-80; des Gagniers and Tinh (1985)
98 and 112]. A small chapel was possibly erected later over the ruins
[BCH 93 (1969) 555].